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HB 1986

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for mascot transition grants; and establishing the Mascot Grant Fund.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tarik Khan and 2 co-sponsors

Adds excused absences for children of fallen service members or first responders for mental health needs or attending supportive events, with verification and academic conditions.

Referred to Education
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Bill Summary · HB 1986

Summary — HB 1986 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025)

Status: Approved by Governor (Act 794). Introduced Jan 22, 2025. Sponsors: Rep. Nazarenko; Sen. D. Wallace. (Note: other documents attached to the request reference different bills or jurisdictions using the same bill number; this summary covers the Arkansas bill text provided concerning excused absences for children of fallen service members and fallen first responders.)

Purpose / Intent

To add a new statute (Ark. Code § 6-18-238) creating a specific category of excused school absences for students who are children of fallen service members or children of fallen first responders, when the absence is for certain mental-health reasons or to attend supportive events related to traumatic loss, grief, or resiliency.

Key provisions

  • Adds § 6-18-238 to Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 18, Subchapter 2.
  • Who qualifies:
    • A student who is a child (biological, adopted, or stepchild) of a fallen service member; or
    • A student who is a child of a fallen first responder (defined as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or emergency medical provider).
  • Permitted reasons for excused absence:
    • Absence due to a mental health concern; or
    • Absence to attend an event organized by a sponsoring organization that provides support to families of fallen service members/first responders or provides support for traumatic loss, grief, or resiliency.
  • Documentation and verification:
    • Parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis must provide written documentation that the absence is to attend an eligible sponsoring organization’s event.
    • Schools may use the Department of Education’s “Resources Page for Military Family Engagement” to verify organizations serving military/first responder communities.
  • Student eligibility conditions:
    • Student must be in good academic standing.
    • Student must have a prior record of good attendance.
    • Student must complete and turn in missed classwork within the time period required by the enrolling school.
  • Limitation:
    • Excused absence under this section is not granted for days when standardized testing is administered.
  • Definitions:
    • “Child” includes biological, adopted, and stepchildren (per bill text).
    • “First responder” defined as firefighter, law enforcement officer, or employee as an emergency medical provider.
    • “Public school” includes public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Students in Arkansas public schools who are children of fallen service members or fallen first responders and their families.
  • School districts and open-enrollment public charter schools: administrative responsibility to verify documentation, record excused absences, and enforce academic and attendance conditions.
  • Sponsoring/support organizations serving military and first responder families.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • The Arkansas Department of Education prepared a fiscal impact statement indicating "No Fiscal Impact."
  • Administrative tasks for schools: reviewing documentation, verifying organizations (using DOE resources), and managing make-up work timelines — expected to be handled within existing administrative processes.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced Jan 22, 2025; read and referred through legislative committees as documented; passed both chambers and enrolled; approved by the Governor on 2025-04-17 and designated Act 794.
  • Related/companion bill noted: HB 1987.

If you want, I can produce a one-page fact sheet for school administrators summarizing verification steps, required documentation, and recommended recordkeeping practices under the new law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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